How Often Do You Water a String of Pearls Plant? 8 Critical Tips for a Thriving Plant

The string of pearls succulent, scientifically known as Senecio rowleyanus, is known and loved for its vining tendencies and delicate pearl-like leaves. Plant parents love hanging this beauty in a planter and letting the tendrils form an eye-catching curtain.

Like their namesake, the string of pearls can be delicate and requires a sensitive touch — especially when it comes to watering.

In this article, we’ll cover how often to water a string of pearls and some critical care tips to help this succulent thrive.

Let’s dig in!

How Often to Water String of Pearls

Like most succulents, the string of pearls is sensitive to overwatering. These plants are experts at storing water, which helps them survive in their native dry, hot conditions of South Africa. The round droplet-like leaves keep moisture to nourish the plant between waterings.

How often to water a string of pearls depends on a few factors:

• the season
• the climate
• its location in the home

Your string of pearls will need to be watered more in the summer during active growth and less in the winter during its dormancy. Similarly, if it gets hot, direct sunlight each day, it may need more water than a plant set back away from a sunny window sill.

With those factors in mind, you should water your string of pearls approximately every 2-3 weeks during active growth. Reduce this to 3-5 weeks during the dormancy period.

Many plant parents have reported watering their string of pearls no more than once per month with promising results. You’ll know your string of pearls is overdue for a drink when its beads start to look wrinkled — try not to let it get to that point.

How to Water a String of Pearls

There are three ways to water your string of pearls: 

• Top watering – the traditional approach of pouring water into the top of the pot.
• Bottom watering – placing the pot in a basin of water for 20-30 minutes to let it absorb at the roots.
• Dunking – placing the entire succulent under water and immediately bringing it back up.

Dunking is controversial, with gardening and plant experts at odds over whether it does more harm than good for succulents. While succulents are somewhat hydrophobic, they’re more prone to root rot after prolonged exposure to water (i.e., in a pot without drainage).

While top watering won’t kill the string of pearls, it can be challenging as the plant thickens and grows. That’s why bottom watering is preferred for this plant.

How to Bottom Water a String of Pearls:

1. Pour enough water into a bowl or tray to cover your string of pearls’ pot to the halfway point.
2. Gently place your string of pearls in the bath.
3. Set a timer and leave your string of pearls for 20-30 minutes.
4. Remove the pot from the bath and let it drip dry.

Bottom watering delivers the water directly to the roots where it’s needed the most.

Should I Mist My String of Pearls?

You should not mist an established string of pearls plant. While it’s best practice to mist propagates or seedlings until the roots are established, a mature string of pearls plants don’t need it or want it.

How to Care for a String of Pearls

Now that you know how to water a string of pearls, let’s explore other critical care tips to help this succulent thrive.

1. Choose Well-draining Soil

Choose a well-draining succulent soil for your string of pearls. Traditional potting soil will not suffice. 

2. Provide 6-8 Hours of Sun

The string of pearls needs 6-8 hours of sunlight per day but shouldn’t be placed in direct, intense overhead sunlight. Place it in a South or East-facing window. Supplement with a grow light if necessary.

3. Watch for Pests

Watch for signs of spider mites, mealy bugs, and scale insects on your string of pearls. If you find them, remove them with a warm cloth damp with water and dish soap and treat them with neem oil.

4. Fertilize in the Spring

Choose a mild or diluted succulent-friendly fertilizer for your string of pearls and feed during the active growing season. This succulent doesn’t require fertilizer, but it is a slow grower that performs better with nourishment.

Never fertilize your string of pearls during the winter dormancy period, as the slow absorption rate could damage your plant.

5. Repot Every 2-3 Years

String of pearls plants have a shallow root system and slow growth habits; they don’t need annual repotting and do fine with crowding.

However, you should repot every 2-3 years to replenish soil nutrients.

6. Prune for Fuller Growth

You can prune your string of pearls to make it grow fuller and bushier. You may also choose to trim away dead growth or leggy vines. Use clean, sharp shears for this purpose.

7. Propagate and Share

String of pearls are easy to propagate with cuttings. 

1. Cut an established vine, ensuring there are at least 3-5 pearls on it.
2. Place the vine atop a pot filled with succulent soil, gently pressing it down into the soil so the vine is covered and the pearls are exposed.
3. Place the pot in bright, indirect sunlight.
4. Mist the cutting regularly until the roots are established. 

Slow and steady wins the race with this propagated succulent!

8. Provide a Warm, Dry Environment

The string of pearls likes dry, warm air. Place it away from vents and drafts for best results.